CIRCUS DIARIES

Misty and Mowgli...

2012-01-25T11:37:00.001-05:00

Started a run of 2 towns a week...
So been a bit busy
Have to just post a few pics from the lot here
Haven't been out to tourist in awhile

Rhino and Lion Reserve...

2012-01-22T06:30:00.001-05:00

Photos from the Rhino and Lion Reserve near the cradle of humankind
Had a great time driving around the reserve
The snake pit was very cool
Had little huts and all sorts of venomous snakes living together

Wondercave...

2012-01-21T08:43:00.002-05:00

Went to the Wondercave the other day in the Cradle of Humankind
A 1.5 million year old cave that was mined by the italians in the late 1800's for lime
40 meters deep into the ground and a consistent 16'C year round
Very damp inside
And dark
Had to walk down 87 stairs to get to the lift and up 127 to get back to top

New Tent Setup...

2012-01-16T08:10:00.003-05:00

Did find these pics I took of the new tent going up
Unfortunately the new tent is only here for a couple months
While a new one is made
Somewhere someone screwed up and it is not block out material
Expensive mistake to who ever

Ducks...

2012-01-16T07:55:00.000-05:00

Not a whole lot to take pics of this week
We are set up next to a nice little lake
And these ducks are residing in it
Not sure the breed but I assume they are native South African

Will hopefully have more subject matter in the next few days...

New Tent...

2012-01-12T22:01:00.001-05:00

They got the new tent up in time for Wednesday show
Took two days
Lots of things wrong
Most important of which
It isn't block out material
So company is making a new one
And we will use this one for the 8 to 10 weeks until then

While the guys were putting stakes in the old fashioned way
I took the opportunity to show off my one hand stake driving skills

Lion Park Muldersdrift...

2012-01-11T07:31:00.003-05:00

Springbok

Wild Dogs

Wildebeast

Waterbok

Potjkie...

2012-01-07T23:30:00.001-05:00

Went and got a potjkie pot yesterday
Traditional cast iron cauldron
It used to be standard equipment for the afrikaans living in the bush
They would take whatever meat they may have hunted, throw it in, the put the whole pot right in the fire.
When the meat softened, they toss is whatever veggies and hang the pot a foot or so out of fire to simmer.
Potjkie is still a traditional meal here
They even have potjkie cook offs like the chili cook offs back home.
My first go at it turned out quite nice
I made an easy beef potjkie
I am ready to boil up some ostrich stew or impala now... Haha
The trick is to put everything in at the right time so it is cooked, but not mushy.
Either I'm a natural chef, or I got very lucky, cause potatoes were soft, and the beans slightly crisp...

More Cats...

2012-01-06T02:16:00.001-05:00

A few more pics of the group
And little Mowgli
Misty is the 9 month old white in with lions
This pic is from the first time they were mixed

McLaren on Zambezi...

2012-01-04T23:51:00.001-05:00

Mowgli...

2012-01-04T23:06:00.001-05:00

Picked up a new tiger yesterday
2 month old male standard color
Cute as a bugs ear
Also pretty well behaved
Considering...
He spent the night in the caravan
Didn't get into any trouble

Boswell Zoo...

2011-12-30T09:48:00.001-05:00

On the regular Tues. off day drove across SA to Pietermaritzburg to visit Jim Stockley
At the Boswell family zoo and lionpark
Had a great visit...
And Jim gave me a beautiful new twisted willow stock

Rolling Stock...

2011-12-26T01:13:00.001-05:00

Here are a couple of the trucks
The green trailer is for the new tent
Which arrived a few days ago
We are half way through a 3 week stand
So it will make its first appearance Jan 4
The small pick up is our Bakkie
Which is what they call small trucks
We pull our caravan with it
And it's our wheels to town

Fruit & Veg...

2011-12-23T08:34:00.001-05:00

They have a great store here called
Fruit & veg food lovers market
Tons of fresh produce and the best selection of meat I have ever seen
Hands down...
It even has a pizza joint in it
And a sushi joint

Braai...

2011-12-22T06:41:00.001-05:00

We do alot of Braai here
Which is the Afrikaans word for barbq
And the meat is super cheap
Here is a sample of the menu...

Pretoria Zoo...

2011-12-20T23:13:00.001-05:00

Spent the off day at the Pretoria Zoo
Very nice
And very big zoo
Luckily they rent golf carts
Lots of steep hills if you were walking

Ice + Circus

2011-12-20T00:03:00.001-05:00

The show treated everyone to a trip to an ice rink yesterday after our 3pm show. It was a blast. Nothing as funny as a bunch of Acrobats from Zimbabwe and China, and a couple dwarf clowns, trying to skate for the first time. The rink was very nice inside a mall about 4 k's from the lot. There were a few natural skaters and only one serious injury, well four stitches in a lip serious...

Airbrush...

2011-12-19T09:54:00.001-05:00

For Mr. Coes
I have been watching this guy the last couple days
He's a bad ass...
The show has him on payroll to just keep painting trucks
He can do some pretty amazing stuff

Testing...

2011-12-19T04:52:00.001-05:00

Trying out a new blogger app on the iPhone...

Shop...

2011-12-18T07:10:00.003-05:00

The show took delivery of their brand new shop yesterday
That's what they call the concession wagon here
It looks real nice
and will look nicer with the new tent coming this week

Lions at Lion Parks...

2011-12-17T04:24:00.007-05:00

Beast Shopping...

2011-12-16T07:39:00.001-05:00

Went shopping for young cats yesterday
Saw over 100 lions and about 10 tigers
Didn't bring any home
More of a recon mission
But I saw some gorgeous cats...

In Focus...

2011-12-14T01:32:00.001-05:00

Here you go anonymous...
Hope these meet your strict standard of photography

Shopping...

2011-12-11T21:22:00.001-05:00

Did a little grocery shopping yesterday
Saw some neat things
They appear to eat more beef then chicken here
Great news to me...

Don't these energy drinks look like
The Mexican cleaners...

Exotic juices are popular...

This was for sale in the checkout aisle
Pre-pay funeral
Odd

Location:Zambesi Dr,Pretoria,South Africa

South Africa...

2011-12-09T21:39:00.001-05:00

Made it to SA. three days ago
So far I really dig it
All the animals look great on the show
The show is called McLaren Circus
I have been contracted to train a mixed cat act
To include 2 male lions, 3 lioness, and 2 tigers
Should take roughly a year...

New trailer...

Me and Ta Kunda...

End transmission...

Location:Pretoria St,Pretoria,South Africa

Wrong Turns...

2011-11-16T09:03:00.002-05:00

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wrong-turns.../id478893589

It's out
Get it quick

Bakery and Joe's 11-2-11

2011-11-10T09:26:00.004-05:00

Josh and I had to make two shows Sat night
First we played at for our good friends at the Paris Bakery
Good times and great pizza and...tarte tartin which is some
Kind of french dessert (Dee-Lish-Us)
After a two hour set there we loaded up and move across town
At Joe's we had a great crowd of the normal rowdy beer drinkers
Thanks to Beatrice for making both shows and getting these great pics...

It's Coming...

2011-11-02T16:28:00.004-04:00

It'll be on iTunes in the next two weeks.
Replication to be done as well.
You can get a sample on iTunes right now.
You should
I think it turned out amazing...

Buffalo Joe's 10-22

2011-10-26T07:48:00.001-04:00

Played a very cool song swap with my good buddy Michael Oneal last Saturday. These pics were snapped by one of two awesome fans that drove all the way up from Pittsburg (Tx not PA) to see the show. Thanks for the support to everyone that braved the storm that night. We appreciate you.

The record is nearly finished. Not sure when it will be released yet. Might wait till I return from the other side of the world...

Heroes

2011-10-13T08:03:00.004-04:00

A buddy of mine suggested on his blog the other day
I shaved my head bald to emulate my hero Tabayara
Although Taba is a great guy, he is definitely not my hero
This same buddy is the one who taught me you can't have any heroes
In the circus biz...

I suggest to my buddy
I maybe figured as good as I train animals AND write songs
I was giving you a handicap, trying to keep it fair

When you are done writing and recording your own soundtrack
To your video, post it and we can compare....HAHA

On a serious note
Been working hard on finishing up this album
So far it has come along great
And this is one of the 12 songs on it

Folk & Roll

2011-10-10T17:52:00.001-04:00

Buffalo Joe's 9/22/2011 Chris Knight Show...

2011-09-28T09:02:00.003-04:00

Bunch of pictures from Danica Easterling...

The Rail...9/11

2011-09-26T13:22:00.003-04:00

Some cool pictures Danica got at the song swap from the Rail
Had a blast there...Love playing shows with Alex and Josh
They both have some killer tunes...

Guitar Wear & Tear...

2011-09-25T20:21:00.002-04:00

I have been playing my guitar "Bonnie Blue"
For about nine years now
I am guessing in the next nine years she will
Have a hole in her where the pick guard should be...

I still love that guitar

Chris Knight....

2011-09-24T09:27:00.002-04:00

Opened a show for Chris Knight Thur...
Was a blast and I feel we played quite well
For a band that only had three nights to work up the songs
I think we will be playing a few more shows here soon
So come out and get you some Dirty Clown Machine...

Song Swap At Paris Bakery...

2011-09-19T19:26:00.002-04:00

Friday played a song swap at the Rail in Commerce Tx.
Then Saturday played on with the same great songwriters at The Paris Bakery
A good time was had by all
I really enjoy Alex Addy and Josh Allens songs
And playing with them is a ball
Which we seem to be doing a lot lately...
Had a big crowd at the bakery of friends and their kids
It's nice to play a venue time to time that isn't a dingy dark bar
Barefoot on the gravel patio was cool for us and the kids

Thanks to Danica and Jade Photography for the sweet pics!

This Thursday very big show for me
I will be opening for Chris Knight at Buffalo Joe's
If you haven't heard of him, you should have
He is one of my all time favorite songwriters
It will be a full band show
I got some of Paris' finest musicians backing me up
Pretty GD excited!

Buffalo Joe's 9/3/11

2011-09-11T10:58:00.002-04:00

Had a great time with Alex and Josh last sat.
Played Joe's which is always great
Did a couple songs with Sara, who sings like an angel
Only got video of these two at the end of the night

Todd Snider's Easy Money

And Bobby Bare Jr.'s Terrible Sunrise

Anyone near Commerce Tx next fri '
Make your way out to the Rail
Alex Addy, Michael Oneal, and myself will be blowin the doors off

Folk & Roll Studio...

2011-09-02T09:24:00.001-04:00

Cody Phifer working up some tasty riffs...

Big Kenneth Thornhill keeping the groove

Josh Allen runnin the machinery

Isolation chamber... With great hair... Haha

Recording a four song demo with a full band as a booking tool. Will be booking shows as "The Dirty Clown Machine" and Folk & Roll type band with a sideshow twist. Coming along nice. Got all bass, drums, and rhythm guitar last night. Should get all lead guitar, harp, and vocals on it Sunday.

New To...

2011-08-31T09:16:00.000-04:00

New...

2011-08-31T09:13:00.001-04:00

Cool Article...

2011-08-25T13:27:00.001-04:00

Blowout Night for Rock Fest

A slew of people flooded the Depot Saturday, August 20, for Rock Fest. The event is hosted by My Rock 96.5 and the Depot. This week’s lineup included Jennifer Dorsey, Casey Cainan, the Texas Alley Cats, and, the headliner, Alex Addy and the Tambourine Machine. It truly was a very talented group of musicians to entertain the crowd that night. With great local talent and sponsors, an ex-circus ringleader eating fire during the last set, good people, and a great bar, how could it not be a great night? We need more nights like this in Paris, let’s let our culture and community flourish.

Jennifer Dorsey opened the show with her 3 piece acoustic rock band. She had a very unique sound, as well as some very artsy original tunes. She also did some notable covers by great bands like Nirvana and the Cranberries. To check out Jennifer Dorsey visit www.reverbnation.com/jenniferdorsey. Following her was the “Circus Man” himself, Casey Cainan. With a sing-along, rock-n-roll style and his classy original songs, Casey was an immediate hit Saturday night. If you like Todd Snider you will love this guy. He trained tigers, owned a few, and performed in the ring with them. Now, after recently retiring from the circus business after tens of years, he’s sold all his tigers and now travels around with his acoustic guitar and plays for the people. He is set to record his upcoming album in the very near future. The Texas Alley Cays then took the stage for a sensational blues performance. The Depot was blown away by their energy and soulful back beat. A very truthful, classic blues act. Don’t find many of them around anymore, and to know they are from your home town of Paris, TX. Rock Fest hopes to have them back very soon. Follow these guys a www.reverbnation.com/texasalleycats.

Finally, after a welcoming intro by Chad Lindsay from My Rock 96.5, taking the stage to close the night, Alex Addy and the Tambourine Machine stepped up and delivered a spectacular performance in support of their newly released, debut album “Talkin’ About Love”, playing every song off the record for the fans. The album has had great publicity since its release and so has the band with a busy schedule of shows every week for the next couple of months and more keep adding. Playing classic covers like “Beast of Burden” by the Stones and “Only Living Boy in New York” by Paul Simon, combined with their album’s work live, and a newly written, unheard song, makes the Tambourine Machine’s show energetic, enthralling, and ultimately a blast. During the band’s rendition of the oldie, “Funky Town Explosion”, other local artist playing that night, Casey Cainan, stepped to the front of the stage to do some amazing fire tricks, ending with him putting the torches out in his mouth! This really made for a sort of “explosion” as the Depot hasn’t seen the likes of that ever. To listen to their music, buy their album, see upcoming shows, view pictures, or contact the band, find them on Facebook or visit www.reverbnation.com/thetambourinemachine.

Long story short, if you missed out on Rock Fest, try and catch the next one. It really is a great thing Chad Lindsay and My Rock 96.5 and the Depot are doing for the community and the local artists. Please come out and support and enjoy your local talent and venues.

http://eparisextra.com/2011/08/23/blowout-night-for-rock-fest/

Harold Wilson Is My Name Son...

2011-08-22T08:22:00.002-04:00

From the show the other night at The Depot...
Was a great time for all at Rockfest
Thanks to all the great bands that played
Especially Tambourine Machine...you guys rocked it
And thanks to all the fans that came out and made it possible

Depot 8/11

2011-08-13T13:45:00.001-04:00

Played a song swap at the Depot in Paris last Thursday night with Justin Rosson. Had a great turn out and I think they digged us enough...

Rollin out to Cool Beans in Denton tonight with the Tambourine Machine for a fullband show...
Should be loud...

Streetlights...

2011-08-12T03:58:00.002-04:00

Don't know what happened to the picture...
This is my tune Streetlights...live at the White Elephant in FT Worth

White Elephant

2011-08-11T10:12:00.001-04:00

Me and a bunch of the boys drove down to Fort Worth tues night to play at a Texas Songwriter Showcase held at the White Elephant. The Elephant is one of my favorite bars in the stockyards. Has all kinds of famous peoples hat hanging on the walls and great food. I however do not recommend the Dirty Love Burger, unless you like quail eggs, which I have decided, I do not

Had a great time and we made it back to Paris safely. My buddy Colby Batch made it over from the Ringling show to watch us do our thing, was cool to see him.

Songwriter table: me, CC Cross, Wesley Joe Malone, Justin Cash, Alex Addy

Alex explaining to some nice kids visiting from Britain that it is normal to find hillbillies in Texas with dreadlocks

Cash with his new buddy Dave. After cash convinced him he should leave the uni in London to be a cowboy in Texas...

When we were kids...

2011-08-07T23:36:00.001-04:00

New tune that...
Alex Addy, Michael ONeal, Wesley Joe Malone, Cody Phifer, Justin Cash, and myself wrote as it went around. No practice. No time to think it up. Nothing.

I thought we done pretty good...

And the cinematography is excellent as you can see...haha

The Bone...8-3-11

2011-08-05T10:22:00.003-04:00

Great times the other night. Played a place in Deep Ellum called The Bone. Cool club for sure. Had my buds from Pearls Street Riot, Wesley Joe Malone and Cash along, as well as Jason "Rags" Sharpless. Nice to play in a joint where they listen to what your saying. After the show a fifty something year old greaser named Thurman was bragging to a girl that he had been a fire breather and could blow the biggest fireball in Dallas, or the state of Texas for that matter. After we decided at 50 something he wouldn't be able to blow one higher then me, we became good buddies. He wanted to know all about joining the circus. I said "Dude, you're in luck. Ringling is 9 blocks down the street right now. Head on down and try out" And off he went. Thurman, if you're out there, I hope you make it where ever you are trying to get...

Is Closed...

2011-07-18T21:01:00.001-04:00

Hipstamatic

2011-07-05T19:02:00.001-04:00

Location:Parker St,,United States

Old New Hampshire

2011-07-03T14:00:00.001-04:00

Location:Lindsay Ct,Laconia,United States

La Puerta Atras

2011-06-18T17:30:00.001-04:00

Location:Franklin Ave,Millbrook,United States

HaHa

2011-06-07T15:20:00.001-04:00

Should have bought two cases...

Thank You Mr. Prickett

2011-06-04T13:43:00.003-04:00

Concessions manager Jeff Hulley and Myself dodging some work at WQs

Jackie Janis getting the beast wagon cleaned up

Had a great visit this week from old friend Jackie Janis
Jackie and I took care of the animals on Franzen Bros in 92/93
She now teaches dog training classes.
While she was here we were discussing our lack of photos from that
period of time
Then what do you know the next day circus fan William Pricket
Posted some pics from Jan of 93 in WQs and on a lot in Ponte Verde FL
I was thrilled to see a picture of Jackie washing the beast wagon out
These took me back in time for sure
So thanks Mr. Pricket...

Ok Then...

2011-06-03T16:27:00.001-04:00

Location:Trench Rd,Bridgeton,United States

Hancock Maryland

2011-05-27T19:43:00.002-04:00

Attention Hancock, Maryland!

The City of Hancock is sponsoring 'Breakfast in the Park' this Saturday May 28 from 7am to 10am for $6 per person (children under three FREE!). After enjoying breakfast, watch the Kelly Miller Circus set up America's One Ring Wonder - our red, blue and yellow tent, the last raised in America with elephant power! The tent raising viewing is free and a precursor to our shows at 2:00 & 5:30.

Hancock is a favorite spot for the Kelly Miller Circus. Every year the elephants are able to splash around in the river and knock a few trees down, having a grand time as they do so.

Kelly Miller Circus, May 2009
Courtesy of R Easley

Tigers...

2011-05-23T20:06:00.001-04:00

Here are a few more pictures from Radar's practice the other day...

Location:Fairground Rd,Woodsfield,United States

New Ink...

2011-05-22T16:02:00.001-04:00

Finally added Genevieve's name to my collection of tattoos. I got Georgia's five days after she was born. This one was two years coming. Was a very clean shop called Broadway Tattoo, in New Philadelphia OH.

Drum roll please...

That pic is from 30 seconds after he finished. Pretty swollen and still bleeding a bit.

Here is today.

I am very happy with it.

A little bit of rain here today in Old Washington this morning. Very warm and sunny this afternoon, with pretty good crowd at 2 PM show. Yesterday was good crowds ad well in New Philadelphia. Ohio has been pretty good to us this year, other then the rain.

Location:County Highway 73,Lore City,United States

Radar In Practice...

2011-05-19T15:26:00.002-04:00

Radar has been practicing alot lately
He is doing great job
He has even managed to NOT lose the hind leg jump...

Or the three cats walking backwards...

He just might be able to do this all by himself someday

Hey...Happy Birthday To Me!...

2011-05-18T18:33:00.002-04:00

Hello all,
I am enjoying the beginning of my 36th year on this planet
I am having a tragedy in my family right now
My Aunt Connie has been fighting for her life for about the last year
She needed a lung, got one
Didn't work
Got another
Didn't work
It has been close to a year since she could eat solid food
The whole time strapped to a hospital bed
And now her and my cousin Marla have made what I assume is the
Toughest choice any human can make
They are going to have the Doctors unplug the ventilator tomorrow morning
I know it is probably the best thing to do and will ease the suffering
But it is quite sad and has been hard on alot of people
I am peaceful in knowing that my Grandma and Grandpa will be waiting for her
I am also grateful for all the Doctors have done to try to beat this
Some fights can't be won I guess...
Anyway...
I will always remember playing with my cousins as a child
While we lived in Commerce City, CO
Those were great times in my life
Everything was so simple and great back then
35 years later sometimes it is hard to tell which side is up
I guess that is how it is laid out to work
The longer you are here the more confusing and jumbled everything seems
I used to think everything could be a simple Black or White...
Ha...
I don't even try to narrow it down to grays any more
Onward...

I will start posting more circus stuff tomorrow
I have been pretty lazy about the blog lately
Not really training anything new lately
And haven't felt much like talking about much
I do however have a great camera on my iPhone
And I should start using it to document so of the stuff around here...

"I've learned nothing out here on this highway,
But I have been passed by, and I have passed by more then my share of cars,
And I do remember my younger days,
When I was so certain that driving even faster would get me far"
T Snider

Letters From The Backdoor...

2011-05-16T19:29:00.001-04:00

Location:Haskell Ln,Batavia,United States

Cinci...

2011-05-16T14:46:00.004-04:00

Radar is so gullible sometimes...

No you can't stick to walls like Spidey...

Radar Goes Shopping...

2011-05-15T21:49:00.001-04:00

Enjoy...

Haha

Location:W Plane St,Bethel,United States

Touch Of Color...

2011-05-14T14:05:00.001-04:00

Location:Chester Rd,Cincinnati,United States

More Backdoor Photos

2011-05-13T19:54:00.001-04:00

Location:Anthony Wayne Pkwy,Camden,United States

Storm

2011-05-13T17:34:00.001-04:00

This is the sky at intermission...

"Somethings coming in the distance, I can hear it comin down the rails"
M McClure

Location:Anthony Wayne Pkwy,Camden,United States

Backdoor Fun...

2011-05-13T16:31:00.001-04:00

Settle down...

It's just this...
On your mark
Get set
Go...

Location:Mozart Ave,Dayton,United States

Fun With Photoshop

2011-05-06T18:25:00.001-04:00

Got a Photoshop app on my phone now so I can do this...

And this...

And this...

And this...

I am having fun with it...

Location:S Apperson Way,Kokomo,United States

Roll Over Beethoven...

2011-05-06T13:26:00.000-04:00

Get Your Picture...

2011-05-05T14:49:00.001-04:00

Been pretty busy the last month or so. Haven't had much time for blogs of any kind. The Tiger Photo Booth keeps using up most of my free time. If we aren't out getting ink or photo paper, I am fixing the printers or cage lately. I feel it is a worthy investment. I was never a fan of pictures with a cub because the public was handling young cats. And it caused a lot of places to breed just for cubs that would have a use for 2 months. Then what? The picture cage is safe for the animal and public.

So far I am still recouping my initial investment, but I think this will be a money maker at some point.

Not much else going on here. Rain almost everyday so far in Indiana. Canceled a town do to severe flooding of the town last week. Lots of muddy lots...

Location:Copeland-Neese Rd,Lebanon,United States

Happy Birthday Dar...

2011-04-05T10:43:00.001-04:00

Well you survived another year...
Here's for your dreams and aspirations

Maybe someday...
Now get to work!

Busy Week...

2011-03-31T18:04:00.003-04:00

And I mean BUSY!!!
Blew up the third transmission in the Dodge
Three day spot in Frisco
Gave away a couple tigers
Changed the props, and act
I will run through the chain of events later...

To sum it up quickly...
Cleo had a bad case of ringworm and we were concerned
It might pass to the other cats
We were inspected by the USDA last week
They are currently enforcing that the arena must be 12' above
The highest prop inside, or be completely enclosed on top
Since we don't carry a net, much less a cable net that
Completely encloses the top
I opted to cut the seats down to 8"
Everyone was satisfied by this move
The cats are fine with the short seats
This is how the act looks now

You will also note that Kandahar is missing
My home inspector was concerned about his length
In comparison with the length of his cage 7'11"
A great tiger facility in Boyd Tx wanted him
So everyone is happy now...
After changing the seats to be so low I was having a very
Hard time walking the females past him since he could touch
Them as they passed
I consider it a win-win scenario that he has a new home
Serri is doing great
I will have more for the blog shortly...

Old Friends...

2011-03-19T12:46:00.001-04:00

Had a great visit with some old friends yesterday.
Mike and Viviana brought the boys out.
I have Known Viviana since we were kids on the Franzen show 25 years ago
Mike I met awhile later...
Almost 20 years ago
And we managed to get in alot of
Trouble together of the years
And stay pretty much unscathed...
Also Brandi, who used to run Dillons when I first moved to Paris, who also booked my first music gig, brought her two little boys out as well.
Not alot to do at 11 pm on a Friday in Shepherd Tx
But Mike and I found a case of Shiner in my fridge
And after the show we found a good pizza joint
A great time was had by all
The pizza joint even had a high striker, which I dominated the whole evening

Location:N 7th St,Silsbee,United States

Have a soda... No... Navasota

2011-03-17T19:44:00.001-04:00

Navasota, at a very nice park
A little wet in a few spots
Went for breakfast with big group of show people
The Norths last day on show for awhile
We ate at the Filling Station
Were they advertised "The Dead Texan"
3 half pound patties, 4 slices of cheese, 6 pieces of bacon, 2 eggs, all the way, with 1 lbs of fries.
Eat it all under 40 mins
Win a shirt!
2 people had ever done it
Many tried...
So did I

Failed!
I was bested by 27 fries
Thanks again to Capt. North for springing for the challenge!

I felt Ill for exactly 3 hours afterwards...

Location:W Washington Ave,Navasota,United States

Coming Along...

2011-03-16T16:26:00.002-04:00

The new cats are doing great still. We have got the "moving them around arena" down pat now. Also, the barking and snarling between them and my original five is minimal now. I have started both on rolling over and standing up. Serri will already take about 4 steps on her hind legs. When Kandahar stands up he towers over me, I think it will be quite impressive to see him to a hind leg walk.

Location:N Circle St,Sealy,United States

Vallarta

2011-03-12T12:54:00.001-05:00

Location:Oxygen,Sinton,United States

Normalish...

2011-03-12T12:38:00.002-05:00

Sinton Tx.
Back to normal show times
Weekends will mean we are done early again
2 & 5:30 today
Nice fairgrounds with great buildings here
But no grass...
Last nights crowds not to swift in Alice
Hope today we fair a bit better

Ate at a cool Mex joint for breakfast
A buffet called Vallarta
Dee-lish-us!
Very close to Corpus Christi today
Reminds me of back on C&M
Ritchie would always say Porpus Crispy

"If I could live my life all over,
It wouldn't matter any way,
Cause I could never stay sober,
In the Corpus Christi Bay"
R E Keen

Location:Oxygen,Sinton,United States

Lyford...

2011-03-10T20:40:00.005-05:00

Lyford Tx.
Nice lot, in a very small town
Speaking of small...
Today was the last of the really short jumps here in the valley
Heading north quick, 100 miles to Alice Tx in the morning
Also the end of the multi day stands for awhile
Next one is late this month in Frisco

Did laundry in a real dive like laundromat today...

As you can see
Steve and Radar found a way to make it fun...
Steve by reading his book

And Dar by playing with the carts...

I will now refer back to the second picture from the top...

Rio Hondo...

2011-03-09T10:49:00.004-05:00

Great crowds in Rio Hondo!
Not just big, but very loud as well
Tigers were a little rough first show....
I tried to lay all 7 down together
This is how it turned out...

Not great...but some days you take what you can get

Here are a few other shots from last nights show

Bobz...

2011-03-07T13:12:00.002-05:00

Steve and Radar were quite excited today
After eating breakfast in Los Fresnos
We passed, Bobz World
Both of them thought Bobz had two O's in it...

Turns out Bobz is the Mecca of tourist traps...
Once inside we went to shopping for a new work uniform for Radar

This place had a huge selection of seashells
It was a wholesale dealer for US Shell Company
I told Radar if he held one up to his ear, he could hear the ocean
He tried with this one, but couldn't hear anything...

Alas...
Problem solved
His ear didn't fit in the first one
You can tell by the look he has it was the first time this had worked

Then we went out and rode some dolphins...

We were going to leave Radar in a cage we tricked him into...

But instead chose to push him in a tank with an angry shark...

And of course the sharks had "lasers" Said like Dr. Evil...
Tune in tomorrow to see how this turns out for Dar...
Same Bat channel
Same Bat time...

In The Show...

2011-03-06T16:05:00.001-05:00

Put Kandahar and Serri in the first show yesterday...
Not asking much of them
Just come in, get on seat, sit up, then leave
So far so good
My girls are still pretty intimidated by them
Here is how it looked today...

God I LOVE my job!

Good Kitties...

2011-03-05T13:57:00.004-05:00

Playing with different visuals on where each cat lays...
I kinda like the whites in the middle with orange one both sides...
However, it is more symmetrical to have the five in the middle with the whites on the ends
They are all doing so good!

More practice...

2011-03-05T10:15:00.007-05:00

Everyone has settled way down now
Had all the cats loose in the arena today so they could interact
Then we practiced laying down with the whole group
And moving the white cats around the arena
They are very different in the way they are trained
They do not come to the stick like a target
They just run away from it
Nothing that can't be changed though...

Darrell...

2011-03-04T12:42:00.001-05:00

Coffee Anyone...

2011-03-04T12:40:00.001-05:00

Beautiful lot here in Weslaco. Last multiple day spot till later in the month. The valley has been good, dusty, but good. Radar, Cope, Darrell Hawkins, and I loaded up and headed to Starbucks this morn. On the way we passes the Don West flea market in Donna. I spent a little time there some years back while Circus Chimera wintered there. Fond memories...

Location:N Pat Cannon Ave,Weslaco,United States

Practice...Again...

2011-03-03T17:47:00.003-05:00

Had all the old cats in with the two new one today
Things went well
No real fights, just some barking across cage at each other
Had all 7 sit up on seats
And tried laying the old ones close to new ones for some sit ups...

Photos by Ears Magillicuddy (Radar)

More pics...

2011-03-03T11:57:00.004-05:00

In Progreso TX. Less then 3 miles from the international border.
Biz kinda slow last night. Weather is beautiful.
Bout to go jogging...
So I will leave you with these pics from yesterday in the exercise yard

"The festival was over and the boys were all planning for the fall,
The cabaret was quiet, except for the drilling in the wall,
The curtain had been lifted and the gambling wheel shut down,
Anyone with any sense had already left town,
Except for the Jack of Hearts"
B.Dylan

Everyone Together Now...

2011-03-02T17:39:00.001-05:00

Location:Baker Dr,Weslaco,United States

Class is in session...

2011-03-02T17:36:00.001-05:00

Been working with Kandahar and Serri a lot last few days...
They are great cats. Everyone is settling down nice. The first day everyone spent all their time barking at each other. But now we just have the occasional snarl. Put Shonti and Tora in with Kandahar and Serri. Went great! Everyone minded their manners.

Location:Baker Dr,Weslaco,United States

Welcome...

2011-02-28T18:11:00.003-05:00

Today we welcomed

Gatuso 4yr old male white

And Lola 4yr old female white

"Enjoy yourself"
Jackson Five

Hint Hint...

2011-02-26T21:21:00.001-05:00

Big...

2011-02-26T17:03:00.001-05:00

Big news for you folks soon. Gonna save it for tomorrow when its more solid. But it looks good, and very big.
Other news, biz has been good here in McAllen. Went out with Steve, Radar, and Capt. North last night. Saw a good flamenco guitarist at a place called El Divino. Not much else.... Still hot as Hades....

Location:W Lindberg Ave,McAllen,United States

McAllen...

2011-02-25T17:14:00.001-05:00

Not to much to blog so far here. Business was decent, as is usually the case here. Before the show Radar, Nikki, and I walked over to Barnes & Noble for Starbucks. This is a lot I have played many times over the years. I played it twice the same winter one year with Gopher. After the first show cat act I went for a jog and snapped this pic of the Civic Center. McAllen is my favorite of the valley towns. It has kind of a Latin artsy flair to it. Got back from jog just in time for cookhouse. Chicken Ala King as only Brian lapalme can train and present. I am no fan of chicken, but Brian can even make chicken taste good.

After the shows we made it over to Buffalo Wild Wings for some beer and wings ( I know defeats purpose of jogging) all in all... Good day... If you could look past the fact it was over 90' for most of it

"Could you read my fortune in the bottom of this coffee cup
Can you tell me how to tell when I've had enough"
M Cooley

The Road To Mexico..

2011-02-24T11:36:00.001-05:00

More Rio Grande...

2011-02-24T11:35:00.001-05:00

Mexico...

2011-02-24T11:33:00.001-05:00

Radar, the dogs, and I, walked from the lot in Roma down to the Rio Grande yesterday. We took a dirt road that the border patrol agents drive while patrolling. The we to a foot path they use to get right down to the river. Suey was not scared of an international border, she jumped right in and started swimming.

"father please forgive me, for the evil that I do, if you get me safe to Mexico, I swear to you I'm through"
M McClure

Radars last blog...

2011-02-23T16:59:00.001-05:00

Snapped this pic of Dar putting up his last blog today... He was much more excited AFTER I told him he didn't have to run the blog any longer...haha

Technology...

2011-02-23T16:14:00.001-05:00

Well...radar has been letting the blog go lately...and I have a new device that will make post pictures and info to the blog much easier.... so.... I think I will take the helm of this ship back now. Radar did a fine job of blogging for the last year. Thanks! Now on to your previously scheduled programing...

New Additions

2011-02-23T15:58:00.002-05:00

Casey has made a few new changes to the act. Both were captured on video last night during a show in Roma, Texas. We are about a mile from the Mexican, border on this lot, fighting the heat, wind, dust and natural wildlife - fire ants! The latter has invaded my quarters in the cat wagon during this multiple day stand. If the problem has not been remedied by the jump tomorrow, I plan to fight them with a taste of their own medicine.

"And if I can find a book of matches
I'm goin' to burn this hotel down." //Tom Waits

Valley Happenings, Part I

2011-02-21T15:01:00.003-05:00

On February 11, Univision visited the Kelly Miller Circus to witness a pizza-eating contest. The entrants consisted of two high school football teams and KM's life-size herd of Asian elephants!

The two teams were cheered on by their respective cheerleaders. Although the elephants are big eaters (finishing twenty four boxes), they lost out to one of the schools.

Season Beginnings

2011-02-14T17:26:00.002-05:00

The McCoy Tiger Troupe made the successful trip to Brownsville, Texas, for the opening of the Kelly Miller Circus 2011 Edition. Business was great and weather conditions improved tremendously following the 2010 season opening. Our new tiger cub first made a calm and playful introduction with Shonti. Cleo then entered the realm of the big dogs (or cats, if you will) several days later. Everything went smashingly well and she now spends all of her time with the group.